Based on the provisions in legislation regarding the importance of each territory’s autonomy, Florencia has approved its Municipal Development Strategy (EDM), a guide that will orient the future of planning, economy, institutions, environment and society in Florencia over the coming years.

The new tool consists of identifying the locality’s potential and limitations, with the aim of having greater certainty when proposing and assessing solutions to problems currently affecting the population, production and the ecosystem.

Six critical nodes have been identified in the strategy, according to which Florencia’s development must involve taking advantage of tourism and natural potential, reactivating and strengthening agricultural production, making full use of local industry and mineral resources, strengthening knowledge management and innovation, reducing equity gaps and community demobilisation, and making use of new municipal powers.

«Every time something is to be done, the strategy is consulted. It has its strategic moment, its tactical moment and its operational moment, which are the programmes and projects that should encompass the municipality’s life,» explained Niria Castillo Arzola, a member of the drafting team.

The source herself clarified that this group is made up of several institutions and individuals, such as the municipal directorates of Territorial and Urban Planning, Economy and Planning, Finance and Prices, as well as the Ministry of Science, Technology and Environment (Citma), the University, deputy mayors, presidents of popular councils and delegates.

The approval process for the EDM involved its presentation to the Municipal Administration Council, where it was debated with a view to improvement. It was subsequently proposed to the Municipal Assembly of People’s Power, where it was adopted yesterday.

As one of the first actions implemented after its official approval, a call was launched to producers and entrepreneurs interested in presenting projects responding to food production, construction materials, as well as ecotourism, renewable energy sources and social development.

Going forward, the value of the strategy will be defined by whether the opinions and aspirations of the people are reflected in it, and whether it becomes a working instrument that guides the municipality’s development.